Coreena Davidson’s study found that people who reported being happy were less likely to have heart disease in a ten-year period. This showed that those who had higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with a high scale of positive affect were less likely to have any heart disease. These findings are similar to the nun study that also demonstrated that those who had reported feeling happier years earlier lived longer and healthier lives. This study and the nun study show that there is a relationship between happiness and health. What remains unclear is whether being happier reduces the body’s immune response to only work when it is needed or if there are other immune benefits that we are not yet aware of that affect being or living in a state of general happiness. It is clear, however, that striving to be happier with your life, at the very least, will not cause you any harm and that there is a potential for a healthier and happy life.
Is anyone else concerned that there is a discrepancy between self-reports of happiness (even given the third-party evaluations cited in this study - if I were brought into a lab for an interview regarding happiness which I knew was being video-taped, I'd certainly lie. Who wants to be the unhappy subject?) and objective happiness? If only it weren't prohibitively expensive to follow people around in their day to day lives with spy cameras. Knowing we were the subject of a study might compel us to behave differently than we might otherwise, but aggregate data from a month or more of surveillance might tell a different story.
I think the study showed another correlation between positive affect, positive emotions and happiness and good health. I like point she made about how relaxation and lowering stress are shown to have a positive affect on the immune system and potentially strengthen our cardiovascular systems. Research on stress and the hormones related to stress levels is showing a strong link to health. I also think it is important she brings up the role that genetics may play in showing why some people are born to be happier and then in turn have more resilient bodies and immune systems. I personally believe in the nature/nurture model in that there is a little bit of both involved. I do think we can greatly impact our own health and life.
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Did the video disappear? Or am I the only one? I will try attempt again tomorrow.
I will try attempt. Ha-ha! Perhaps I should pick one.
Coreena Davidson’s study found that people who reported being happy were less likely to have heart disease in a ten-year period. This showed that those who had higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with a high scale of positive affect were less likely to have any heart disease. These findings are similar to the nun study that also demonstrated that those who had reported feeling happier years earlier lived longer and healthier lives. This study and the nun study show that there is a relationship between happiness and health. What remains unclear is whether being happier reduces the body’s immune response to only work when it is needed or if there are other immune benefits that we are not yet aware of that affect being or living in a state of general happiness. It is clear, however, that striving to be happier with your life, at the very least, will not cause you any harm and that there is a potential for a healthier and happy life.
Is anyone else concerned that there is a discrepancy between self-reports of happiness (even given the third-party evaluations cited in this study - if I were brought into a lab for an interview regarding happiness which I knew was being video-taped, I'd certainly lie. Who wants to be the unhappy subject?) and objective happiness? If only it weren't prohibitively expensive to follow people around in their day to day lives with spy cameras. Knowing we were the subject of a study might compel us to behave differently than we might otherwise, but aggregate data from a month or more of surveillance might tell a different story.
I think the study showed another correlation between positive affect, positive emotions and happiness and good health. I like point she made about how relaxation and lowering stress are shown to have a positive affect on the immune system and potentially strengthen our cardiovascular systems. Research on stress and the hormones related to stress levels is showing a strong link to health. I also think it is important she brings up the role that genetics may play in showing why some people are born to be happier and then in turn have more resilient bodies and immune systems. I personally believe in the nature/nurture model in that there is a little bit of both involved. I do think we can greatly impact our own health and life.
Jessica Hews
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